URI and thyroid -fighting infection

[Mandica]

Hi - I have had the misfortune of some how getting a UTI . I have had this for 3 weeks now.

The first urine sample given at my surgery indicated some infection and 3 days prescription of antibiotics given - I have under-active thyroid so I knew this was not enough.. after the 3 days the UTI returned …i called 111 and got booked into a walk - this was now into the weekend .. Another urine test (although negative ) the doctor told me that was due to me taking antibiotics -however he did say I have microscopic blood in my urine which would indicate an infection - 7 days antibiotics given.. fast forward 2 weeks (all antibiotics taken) from then to now and all symptoms returned plus feeling sick and dizzy- back pain - could suggesting kidneys.

My doctor asked for another urine test today which came back negative so I’m refused antibiotics.

sorry I know it’s quite long winded but my question is has anyone else had this experience. I know as standard practice GP’s are no longer required to give a 2 week corse of antibiotics advising to take the full amount - but seriously this is what I need rather than 3 days here then 7 days sporadic with a 7 day period inbetween to allow the infection to take hold again 🤦🏻‍♀️ this is not helping me fight off the infection - I need intense for 14 days - Because of my thyroid I don’t fight off infection very well .. I’m doing all I can- drinking lots of water - drinking sachets from the chemist for cystitis - trying to rest and not get stressed, My work are not sympathetic to me taking time off as I was off for 4 weeks with Covid this year and taken down a disciplinary procedure. Everything just seems so unfair and no one listens or cares anymore..

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated as I’m feeling just so fed up.

Thanks in advance

[Anthea55]

This book is highly recommended 'Understanding Cystitis' by Angela Kilmartin. My daughter recommended it to me, so I bought a 2nd hand copy.

[HandS]

hi Mandica, I’m so sorry your are experiencing this and understand why you feel so unwell and upset.

When you have been tested, has the urine sample been sent to the lab? I only ask because I had a UTI two months ago and the stick test was negative but the nurse sent it to the lab and it came back with high level of ecoli infection.

I was lucky enough to be successfully treated with just two days of antibiotics - I’ve been hypo for over 20 years - but have only needed antibiotics twice during that time and they worked quickly .

In your shoes, I would ask to see my GP and ask them to investigate further : you are suffering - detail your symptoms and your need to continue working - and ask them to please do something more.

If it was me (and I know it’s not!) - I wouldn’t refer to an hypo/antibiotic connection when talking to your doctor (depending how well you know them of course) because it could detract from getting them to understand your current symptoms. (Is there a proven link? I’m not aware of this - and I doubt a GP would be.) And anyway they are bound to prescribe with t guidelines.

If a sample has not been sent to the lab, then I would ask that they do this first of all . If that has already been done, then I would ask what further investigations could be done.

I would be reluctant to take a longer course of antibiotics without knowing what was being treated . Did the courses you took give you any relief at all?

A UTI is a really miserable thing to have and needs to be investigated, especially as your symptoms are widening . You can’t survive on drinking cystopurin sachets - and needing them continuously indicates more is needed from your GP.

Keep asking for help - and I hope you find it and feel well soon

[maggiesloper]

I have had this scenario and after taking several different antibiotics it transpired that the bacteria had developed resistance to all oral antibiotics and I had to go into hospital for a iv infusion given over 3 days. Go back to your doctor immediately and ask them to test for culture and sensitivity to antibiotics so that they can prescribe the correct antibiotic for you which is effective at killing your UTI

[healthkiwi]

Have you tried D-Mannose? I found it the BEST thing for recurrent cystitis. Works for the vast majority of people, you can take it indefinitely if you need to. Lots of info on the internet. Easily available, pretty cheap online, even Boots stock it.

[Feelingrubbish]

I too would recommend D-Mannose. I take it at the first moment I suspect something might not be right and it sorts me out. It’s also good as a preventative. The cystitis sachets have never worked for me.

[Brightness14]

I got a UTI when in the UK three years ago, it was my first one. After four urine tests which proved negative and losing nearly two stone in weight in only 7 weeks, I became very ill indeed. I then paid for an appointment with a private surgeon who gave me the name of the lab to send my sample. As soon as I had the results I was given the correct antibiotic for the infection and after 6 months slowly got better. I will PM you with details of the private lab this may help you.

[Mandica in reply to Brightness14]

Thank you to every one who responded to my post - such a lovely support in here and I will try all of the suggestions thank you all so much.

my sample did get sent to the Lab -so it’s wait and hear back what those results are..

[Brightness14 in reply to Mandica]

This lab is special and does a broth test to find the exact bacteria that you have and then writes down the antibiotics that will work. It is not a run of the mill test.

[Joant24]

I had similar problems with many years of antibiotics so you have my sympathy. I found that Uralix, a herbal pill was excellent and helped when I was at my lowest. The downside is it’s expensive and long term, 9 months, so needs some commitment. Holland and Barrett have a similar pill which is a little bit cheaper but don’t know how well that works. Once I was on thyroid medication my bladder (touch wood) has been fine 🤞🏼

Good luck and hope you get some relief and maybe keep nagging the GP or see a different one. X

[chrysalis56]

Dear Mandica,

First, I sincerely hope that when your doctor is ordering lab tests for you, they are urine cultures, so that the doctor can identify what bacteria is causing the UTI, and can treat you with an antibiotic that will kill that "bug." Here (Israel) in our Sick Fund, even patients see lab results reported in their medical records and, in the case of UTIs, coupled with list of antibiotics and their efficacy in treating the given "bug."

I, too, am a big fan of D-Mannose, take it prophylactically, and amp up my dose if I feel if I am coming down with a UTI.

So wishing you well, keep us posted,

Chrysalis56

[Bhattinsami]

i had this problem and i took some homeo patric medicines which effectively resolved it . canthris 30 four times a day

[hjh88]

A good few have suggested already but came here to say D-Mannose. I have a friend who’s suffered with chronic UTIs for years. Lots of investigation with GP and consultants but nothing worked. The only thing that work did was D-Mannose. Believe it works by binding with the bacteria and preventing it from settling in your urinary tract and, as others have said, freely available over the counter.

[Annib1]

I have had your experience of recurrent UTIs that need more than a short dose of antibiotics and a change to the right antibiotic. Since I changed from only being on levothyroxine to NDT or to levo plus Liothyronine I have ceased having these. I think there is a link. UTIs cause such misery. Good luck

[Beau55]

hi mandica,

Sorry to hear you are suffering. Before getting on treatment for thyroid, I had ten years of crippling life limiting bladder infections/chronic UTI. Here’s some of my tips for getting the treatment you need-

- Always insist on a minimum of a 7 day course of antibiotics. Advise them that you have lowered resistance due to other chronic conditions and a failure to do so will only further delay clearing the infection. I found that if I insisted they would relent.

- a urine dipstick test means nothing if negative (lots of mine came back negative) but I could visibly see infection in my urine

- always do samples with first urine of the day as it’s more concentrated and once on antibiotics the urine cultures/dip test will not work so insist they treat by symptoms.

Are these an ongoing problem? I went to a specialist clinic and was given a prescription for a stockpile of cefalexib so I could self dose when I felt I had an infection for as long as i needed

[Hidden]

Mandica, I'm so sorry for what you are going through.

Previously, I've had years of incredible bladder pain & urine tests showing blood.

After years of drs, Hospital Emergency rooms and specialists, I was finally diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis and put on permanent anti-biotics. (Despite not always having any signs of infection.) For my situation, interstitial cystitis is likely to be an immune response.

The solution for me? Interstitial Cystitis diet. I can't find the original website referred by a past hospital specialist but this one seems close: primehealthdenver.com/inter...

The diet is tough but sitting on the loo in constant pain and not being able to live life fully is no way to exist.

I wish you all the best, Mandica.

[Reefseeker]

Just found this thread as I now have recurrent UTIs that prevent me from sleeping at night. I keep being given the 3-day antibiotic treatment, it doesn't work, they try a different one and so on. By then the urine sample shows nothing but the pain hasn't gone. This has all come on since changing from dessicated thyroid to combination synthetic T3/T4. I'm starting HRT now on the off chance it's menopause-related.

May I ask, have you found a solution that works?

Best of luck with everything, you have had such a hard time.